Photography launch event to shine a light on Manchester's music heritage

24 Apr 2019

Earlier this year, Rockarchive displayed more than 80 photographs at Manchester Central Library in an exhibition called There is a Light that Never Goes Out which attracted over 35,000 visitors

It featured photographs of bands and musicians from those that formed in the wake of punk, at a time when the city's music scene was expanding in a unique and inimitable way, those that shaped the world during Manchester’s glorious rise to prominence in the 80s, 90s and through to the present day.

Many of the iconic images were taken from a pool of the UK’s most talented music photographers, including legendary Manchester based lensman, Kevin Cummins, as well as Paul Slattery and Rockarchive founder Jill Furmanovsky.

The images on show document the rise of Buzzcocks, Joy Division, The Fall, The Smiths, The Stone Roses and Oasis, as well as highlighting some of the places and people who helped make it all happen such as the Hacienda and Factory Records. In addition a number of contemporary photographers were invited to contribute images of the current Manchester scene, giving an overall picture of Manchester’s music heritage from the mid-1970’s right up to the present day.

Rockarchive who curated the exhibition, with help from author Jon Savage, wanted it to remain in and belong to the city as a legacy. We were delighted to be able to offer the exhibition a home as we passionately believe that it belongs in our city.

In order to do this we will be running a Crowdfunder campaign to pay for the prints, framing, moving and installation of it at the University. To celebrate the opening of the exhibition at the University and to help to support the launch of the Crowdfunder campaign we will be hosting a fabulous event at University Place, with food, drinks and entertainment.

The event will be held on Thursday, 23 May from 7pm until 9:30pm in University Place. It's free to attend but registration in advance is recommended. 

Above image: reproduced by permission Kevin Cummins